Matakauri Lodge

Matakauri Lodge opened 18 months ago as The Robinson familys third lodge in New Zealand and I was very excited to explore an unusual Relais&Chateaux.

Relais&Chateaux hotels tend to be a bit old school in the design, but Matakauri Lodge was complete opposite. Very modern everywhere in the hotel and unlike the other Relais&Chateaux’s I’ve stayed.

I stayed in a Deluxe Suite and it had the same modern design as the hotel itself and with incredible views of Lake Wakatipu. The bathroom products were especially made for the hotel and it was overall a great suite.

With Relais&Chateaux my expectations for the food is always high as cuisine is one of the 5C’s. The food met my expectations and would be close to receive 1 Michelin star if the Michelin guide covered New Zealand. The service was excellent in a formal way. This was the first hotel where I was required to wear a jacket at dinner. The service was very personalized by name and the dining was overall quite an experience.

The facilities was very impressive as well. A great gym with latest technology and an excellent spa. 5C members of Relais&Chateaux receives a 1 hour complimentary massage and it was a great experience.

Overall a fantastic experience if you like formal service. It’s a very unusual Relais&Chateaux. It has a very modern design everywhere and the service is the most formal I’ve seen in a small hotel. If you like formal service this will be fantastic. I don’t personally like it, but have to be objective and must say they have found the most professional staffs in all areas.